Museums & Galleries of NSW

16/06/2026

NAVA has updated its Payment Standards from 1 July 2026, with most recommended fees and wages increasing by 4.75% in line with the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review 2026.
The annual review helps ensure the Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design remains current and continues to support fair pay across the sector.
The changes follow the Fair Work Commission's announcement of a 4.75% increase to award wages and a 6% increase to the National Minimum Wage.
National Association for the Visual Arts

NAVA leads advocacy, policy and action for an Australian contemporary arts sector that's ambitious and fair.

10/06/2026

In our latest Insights interview, Cecilie Knowles, the Public Engagement and Education Officer at Orange Regional Gallery, discusses a pilot project she co-developed called Connecting to Place. This art and wellbeing program aims to cultivate meaningful and lasting relationships between the Gallery and migrant and refugee communities, promoting wellbeing and social connections.

Cecilie Knowles, Public Engagement & Education Officer at Orange Regional Gallery, co-developed the pilot art and wellbeing program Connecting to Place to strengthen meaningful and ongoing relationships between the Gallery and migrant and refugee communities.

05/06/2026

Closing Soon - Audience Development Grant - 30 June 2026

Amount available: up to $8,000 for each grant (no minimum)

With M&G NSW's investment in 2026, the Audience Development Fund has been expanded to accept applications from publicly funded salaried museums and Aboriginal cultural centres in NSW, as well as from galleries.

Offers assistance in targeting and developing new audiences. It encourages organisations to create innovative public programs that engage with collections, visual arts practice, and communities. The fund is designed to support organisations in developing and trialling new models for engaging audiences that will increase immediate and future attendance, access and participation.

Assistance for publicly funded salaried museums and galleries in NSW assistance in targeting and developing new audiences.

26/05/2026

This National Reconciliation Week, we reflect on how we can all contribute to reconciliation in Australia.

Museums & Galleries of NSW is committed to supporting a stronger, more inclusive cultural sector that respects and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, stories and communities.

Photo from the recent program, Volunteer Museums: Engagement with Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. Developed by the Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association (ACHAA) in partnership with Museums & Galleries of NSW, this training program supported museums to work respectfully, confidently and ethically with Aboriginal cultural heritage, collections and communities.
Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre (Gumbaynggirr Country, Corindi Beach)


https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

20/05/2026

We recently conducted an Insights interview with Rilka Oakley, Blue Mountains City Council’s Artistic Program Leader, on creating an immersive touring exhibition designed with and for neurodivergent audiences.

An insights interview with Rilka Oakley on creating an immersive touring exhibition designed with and for neurodivergent audiences.

17/05/2026

This National Volunteer Week, Museums & Galleries of NSW proudly acknowledges and thanks the thousands of volunteers who support museums, galleries, heritage organisations, and Aboriginal cultural centres across New South Wales.

From caring for collections and preserving local history to welcoming visitors, delivering programs, and sharing community stories, volunteers are at the heart of our cultural sector.

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. It recognises the contribution of millions of volunteers across the country and invites everyone to discover how giving their time and talents can create connection, purpose, and stronger communities. THEME - YOUR Y...

14/05/2026

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the recent round of the Fellowship, Mentorship, and Volunteer Placement Program. This program provides valuable professional development opportunities for museum and gallery staff and volunteers throughout New South Wales.

The Fellowship, Mentorship and Volunteer Placement Program is a Create NSW devolved funding program, administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the recent round of the Fellowship, Mentorship, and Volunteer Placement Program. This program provides valuable professional development opportunities for museum and gallery staff and volunteers throughout New South Wales.

08/05/2026

Access to Funding
Practical skills and tools to strengthen your next grant application

Securing funding for your organisation or project is more competitive than ever. That’s why Museums & Galleries of NSW is hosting Access to Funding, a practical and engaging workshop designed especially for small and volunteer-run museums.

This free session will help you understand the broader funding landscape and give you the confidence to start or strengthen your grant applications.

Less than 2 Weeks away - book now

Practical skills and tools to strengthen your next grant application

30/04/2026

M&G NSW is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Libby (Elizabeth) Newell. Libby was a dedicated and passionate contributor to the museum sector, particularly to small, volunteer-run museums that benefited greatly from her knowledge and enthusiasm.

Libby had a deep love for her work and for the communities she supported. She often spoke about retiring but would always say, “I had too much fun last year—maybe I’ll retire next year,” reflecting the joy and commitment she brought to her role. In particular, Libby loved the museums she worked with in Tenterfield as their M&G NSW Museum Advisor; she spoke very highly of the volunteers and was excited to encourage them to nominate for the IMAGinE Awards this year.

Over the past two decades, Libby worked across the regional and community museum sector as a volunteer, curator, M&G NSW Museum Advisor, and consultant. She was also a tireless advocate for the sector, representing it on a state government museum advisory committee, serving as a Director on the M&G NSW Board, contributing to the chapter network, and serving as an executive of AMaGA NSW.

In collaboration with Libby’s family, M&G NSW has established a fund in her honour. This fund will provide a one-off grant to support the volunteer museum sector that Libby cared for so deeply.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the fund, please follow this link:
https://mgnsw.org.au/articles/vale-libby-newell/

We look forward to announcing the application process for this special grant to honour Libby in the coming months.

M&G NSW is deeply saddened by the passing of Libby (Elizabeth) Newell. Libby was a dedicated and passionate contributor to the museum sector, particularly to small, volunteer-run museums that benefited greatly from her knowledge and enthusiasm.

09/04/2026

Audience Development Fund 2026 - now open
Amount available: up to $8,000 for each grant (no minimum)
With M&G NSW investment in 2026, the Audience Development Fund has been broadened to accept applications from publicly funded salaried museums and Aboriginal cultural centres in NSW, as well as galleries. The ADF offers assistance in targeting and developing new audiences. It encourages organisations to create innovative public programs that engage with collections, visual arts practice, and communities.

Assistance for publicly funded salaried museums and galleries in NSW assistance in targeting and developing new audiences.